Velocipede.



PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.

G. P. SPEIGB. VELOGIPBDE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.31, 1908.

JZ' ,Win00,

CHARLES F. SPEIGE, OF FINDLAY, OHIO.

VELOCIPEDE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. January 31, 1908.

Patented May 26, 1908.

Serial No. 413,696.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. SPEICE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Findlay, in the county of Hancock and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Velocipede, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to velocipedes and its object is to provide a device of this character simulating a racing sulky, the same being provided with means whereby it can be propelled by foot power, said pro elling means being of simple, durable, and e icient character designed particularly to develop that portion of the body below the waist.

A further object is to provide guiding means designed to be operated by reins which include elastic connections whereby the steering parts are held normally in predetermined positions.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.L

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the velocipede. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, the horse being shown 1n dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the steering stem.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates the-axle of the velocipede, the same having wheels 2 secured thereon while at an intermediate point is fastened a sprocket 3. This axle supports standards 4 on which is mounted the seat portion 5 of the sulky, said seat portion having shafts 6 extending from it and in which is secured a figure 7 preferably representing a horse. This figure is supported from the ground by a steering wheel 8 mounted within a yoke 9 at the lower end of a stem 10 which extends through and is journaled within the figure 7 and is provided at its upper end with a transversely extending saddle 11. This saddle is movably mounted upon the back of the figure' and has terret rings 12 through which reins 13 extend. The ends of these reins are connected to the bit by means of elastic strips 14 which can be formed of rubber or of metal springs. Loops 15 are fastened to the reins and engage the rings 12 so that when either of the reins is pulled back- Ward the saddle 15 will be swung upon the back of` the figure so as to produce a corresponding movement of the wheel 8'. The elastic members 14 serve to hold the saddle normally positioned straight across the back of the figure so that the wheel 8 will normally guide the velocipede straight forward. Hangers 16 are fastened to the seat portion 5 and Journaled within them is a shaft ,17 having oppositely extending cranks 18 connected by means of links 19 with treadles 20. These treadles are pivotally supported by means of links 21 from the shafts 6 which links are designed to oscillate relatively lto the shafts. A sprocket 22 is secured to the shaft 17 and motion is designed to be transmitted therefrom to sprocket 3 through a chain 23.

The person operating the veloci ede occupies the seat portion thereof wit the feet resting on treadles 20. These treadles are designed to be oscillated backward and forward so that motion will be transmitted from them through links 19 to cranks 18. As heretofore stated the wheel 8 normally directs the velocipede straight forward or backward. To turn the device one of the reins 13 is pulled in the same manner as when guiding a horse and this will cause the elastic portion 14 of said rein to be elongated and the loop 15 of said rein will pull on saddle 11 and cause stem 10 and wheel 8 to turn the desired distance.

A device such as herein described is not only designed to afford amusement and give exercise to the user but will also be beneficialin instructing young people to guide horses either while moving forward or backward.

'I/Vhat is claimed is:

1. In a veloci ede the combination with a wheel supporter structure including a guiding wheel of guiding reins for controlling the guide wheel, and elastic means constituting continuations of the reins for maintaining the steering wheel in a predetermined position.

2. In a veloci ede the combination with a wheel su porte structure including a guiding whee a stem extending from the wheel, a saddle movable with the stem, and guiding reins connected to the supported structure and to the saddle for actuating the saddle, said reins including elastic means disposed to hold the saddle and guiding means normally in predetermined positions.

3. In a veloci ede the combination with a wheel supporte structure including a guiding wheel; of a stem extending from the Wheel and through the structure, a saddle carried by and movable With the stem, guiding reins connected to the end portions of the saddle, and elastic oontinuations of the reins extending Jfrom the saddle and secured to the structure Jfor maintaining the saddle and the guiding Wheel normally in predetermined po sitions.

4. In a velooipede the combination With a structure simulating a vehicle and an animal harnessed thereto, said vehicle having supporting Wheels; of foot operated means ear ried by the structure for actuating the Wheels, a stem journaled Within the forward portion of the structure, a steering Wheel mounted therein, a saddle movable With the stem and upon the upper portion of the structure, and reins connected to the saddle and having elastic portions for holding the saddle and steering Wheel normally in a predetermined position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aIiXed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES F. SPEICE.

Witnesses:

W. F. BRICKMAN, H. J. RUTLEDGE. 

